Banaras Hindu University unrest: PMO intervenes, wants students' problems redressed
PM Modi
Both Indian PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah spoke to UM chief minister Yogi Yodityanath about the situation on campus
The Indian Prime Minister's Office (PMO) reportedly intervened in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) protest that set the campus on edge since the police baton-charged women students complaining against a molestation case.
The BHU chief proctor's decision toresigncame shortly after PMNarendra Modi's office called higher educationsecretaryKK Sharma to discuss the matteron Tuesday, Hindustan Times reported.
Both PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah spoke to Uttar Pradesh chief minister YogiAdityanathto about the unrest on the 100-year-old university. The human resourcedevelopment ministry was also instructed to look into thestudents'complaints and take immediate steps to address them and to build confidence.
The chief proctor of the Banaras Hindu University, ON Singh,resigned last night (Tuesday) taking moral responsibility for the protests.
The district administration has declared holidays tillOctober 2in all colleges and universities in the district after the spread of violence. The BHU had earlier announced that the holidays would start fromSeptember 28.
The molestation case at Banaras Hindu University came to light when women scholars blocked the entrance of the university campus from where Modi's convoy was expected to passon Friday.
Tensions escalated afterpolicemen late-nighton Saturdaybaton-charged students at the women's hostelandalsoallegedly entered the premises to drag some students out. The women students weretrying tospeak to thevice-chancellor regarding the molestation incidents on the campus.
A number of students, including women and two journalists, were injured in the batoncharge, the varsity sources said.
Nearly 1,500 police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order in the campus after the violence created unrest among the students.